Steven Jackson, 40, and Michelle Higgens, 28, are accused of murdering Kimberley MacKenzie at a flat in the town's Market Street.

Prosecutors claim Kimberley was struck with a hammer, machete and knife or similar items.

It is claimed Miss MacKenzie's body was dismembered using a saw, knives and a screwdriver or similar instruments.

Kimberley Mackenzie went missing from home last October (Image: NEWSLINE MEDIA LIMITED)

Parts of the corpse are said to have been wrapped in bin liners and bags and hidden in bins at four addresses in Montrose.

It is further alleged Miss MacKenzie's head and other body parts were put inside a rucksack and case and concealed in a shower cubicle.

Walls, floors and other surfaces of the flat around which the allegations centre are said to have been cleaned.

Caustic soda and bleach are also alleged to have been poured into a bath.

Kimberley's head and other body parts were put in a rucksack and hidden in a shower, it is alleged (Image: NEWSLINE MEDIA LIMITED)

Clothes and footwear and a bloodstained rug are said to have been disposed of.

The charge claims this was all done "with intent to avoid detection, arrest and prosecution".

Jackson is further charged with two separate drugs offences accusations as well as having a machete in a public place at Fair O'Blair pub and Balmoral Road, both in Blairgowrie, between November 3 and 4 last year.

Higgins faces a similar allegation of having a knife in Montrose High Street on October 27.

The pair deny all charges.

The arrests of Jackson and Higgins followed a major police operation at several locations in the Angus town, including the local authority recycling centre.

Their investigation included bins and drains being opened in the immediate vicinity of the property in a block of flats there.